More Smutty Than You: TSR's Hall of Shame

[ChaosInAMinor]

It's not that I don't have at least a basic background it it and I do understand that it's linked to everything I'm interested in. I know what the golden mean is. I can mix my own oils using just pigment and linseed oil.

I shouldn't say that I have no interest in it. I just have a stronger interest in the more right brained subjects.

[deelink]

I think of it this way. I am interested in how things work, how creativity can be pushed and how I can arrange (and rearrange) my own limited range of scientific processes. For example, a symmetrical pencil study of a face with 3D mathematical rules behind it, can be simply translated as "A photo realistic drawing of a goddess" <-- taking note of ancient Greek understandings that having a perfect symmetrical face was a mathematical CERTAINTY of perfection and beauty. Art and Aesthetics have millions of explanations that all land on Science's and Mathematics doorstep.

Math and science is everywhere, intuitive creative people can see and make sense of these scientific processes (45 shades of red paper versus 45 shades of green paper to create a perfect complimentary cut out Christmas tree for example) even if they feel it's not "math" because it's not algebra or science because it's not formulas. But there is a definite logic there, it's not all Jackson Pollock

[ChaosInAMinor]

I actually wrote a paper on Math Within Art last semester for Art History through the 15th century. I compared/contrasted Morrocan and Islamic tilework to the Doryphorus (known for being the example of the ideal proportions of a man. All anatomical drawing classes use these proportions.) It was really interesting, doing the research- especially on the amount of math involved in the tilework at mosques such as the one at Cordoba.

If anyone's interested: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/02/070222155706.htm

[Devilfish]

I think one of my favourite terms (from The Simpsons no less ) is 'buffet intellectual', because it describes me to a T. I'm interested in everything. I like building computers, but can't be bothered to go all the way and understand them completely. I love archeology, but not enough to make it my job. I'm very interested in history, literature, quantum physics, mathematics, theatre, everything, but not enough to devote excessive amounts of time to any of it. I know a little bit about most things and I kind of like it that way, it has its up- and downsides. I think it goes for many people.

It doesn't help that I spent half my life in a Waldorf school. One of the things Steiner proposed (basically) is that specialisation is for insects. Humans should be encouraged to know as much as they can about various things and do as many different things as possible. That thought always stuck with me.

[Pescado]

It doesn't help that I spent half my life in a Waldorf school. One of the things Steiner proposed (basically) is that specialisation is for insects. Humans should be encouraged to know as much as they can about various things and do as many different things as possible. That thought always stuck with me.

Specialization may be for insects, but one should still have a field of expertise. Otherwise, you don't actually DO anything, and therefore starve to death. You need some core skillset. Everything else makes a fine hobby. Believe it or not, computers isn't even what I really do. Computers, that's just a hobby. I do killing people and breaking things. You'd be surprised what a broad topic that is, though. For some reason, people object to being killed and having their stuff broken, and you tend to need to find ways to outwit them so you can kill them and break their stuff. War is the ultimate practical science.

[Devilfish]

Yes, well, obviously you'll need a job at some point. (What job allows you to be witty, kill stuff and break people and where do I sign up?) He was mostly talking about education. Teachers are encouraged to persuade children who are, for example, especially good at the 'hard sciences' (no idea what to call them in English) to spend extra time on arts and physical activities, of course without neglecting any talent they may have in the field of science. It makes for more well-rounded individuals who are never truly out of their depth. I can see why someone would disagree with that, but it makes sense to me, especially if you concider that the way they teach is that no subject is truly seperated from another. Art plays a big role all over the board, they don't teach math without delving into history, or science without a bit of sociology. You see what I'm getting at. I like that approach, it shows that nothing truly stands alone, that all 'knowledges' are interconnected. That's a good basis for learning new things all your life, not just in school. And people who keep learning keep growing. All in all, that's a good thing.

[SoggyFox]

I kind of use that principle when doing my radio shows - I always end up not only learning something new but others learn something new as well.  And they say that's what they like most about them.

I play music by artists people know, but its something obscure, or I play something they know, but give them little known facts about it.  Or about the genres of music themselves - like the roots of heavy metal, for example.

I can't stand not learning something new all the time - if I could, I'd still be in college, and likely still changing my majors around, or taking a lot of electives.  Then again, I might have graduated with a BA if I hadn't kept changing things about and taking electives.  My last major was a double - Sculpture and Comp Sci.

[calalily]

It doesn't help that I spent half my life in a Waldorf school. One of the things Steiner proposed (basically) is that specialisation is for insects. Humans should be encouraged to know as much as they can about various things and do as many different things as possible. That thought always stuck with me.

I agree about the practical things that Pescado points out - specialisation means job.  I also agree that specialisation doesn't have to be exclusive.

But also, if no one specialised, there would in fact be little for buffet intellectuals to choose at the buffet.  My research zeroes in on one small section of criminological phenomenonology, and explores that section.  Of course, being a Ph.D., it has to be 'original thought' that no one has had before.  That means that at this point, any discussion about it is merely speculation on how they think this works, rather than actual knowledge - and it is discussed.  So by specialising, I can inform other discussions of it with actual knowledge and data.  That doesn't mean of course that lots of people should be encouraged to specialise, but specialisation is needed so that everyone else can continue to discuss things previously unquantified.

[neriana]

There's nothing wrong with specializing so long as you don't devote your entire life to one topic and exclude other things. I love my "specialization" because it gives me an excuse to learn about so much stuff. History is great for the person who just can't decide .

What job allows you to be witty, kill stuff and break people and where do I sign up?

Magnificent Bastard.

[EmilyTwitch]

History is great for the person who just can't decide .

That would be me. I'm into just about everything! Art, science (particularly geology, biology, and paleontology), music, literature, psychology, everything... But history has been my one true love. I guess it's my dad's influence, he's a military history buff. I'm going through a phase where I'm watching every documentary I can about World War II. Fascinating stuff. Horrible, but still interesting.

[Kragey]

Of course, being a Ph.D., it has to be 'original thought' that no one has had before. 

And that is why I am butt-touched as I venture out on the PhD path, hoping to become a lit professor.

[calalily]

Of course, being a Ph.D., it has to be 'original thought' that no one has had before. 

And that is why I am butt-touched as I venture out on the PhD path, hoping to become a lit professor.

Hope you like no sleep, eye twitches and cricks in the neck. It looks big when you start, but I'm now worried about how little space I have left for stuff I want to say. 

[deelink]

Of course, being a Ph.D., it has to be 'original thought' that no one has had before. 

And that is why I am butt-touched as I venture out on the PhD path, hoping to become a lit professor.

Hope you like no sleep, eye twitches and cricks in the neck. It looks big when you start, but I'm now worried about how little space I have left for stuff I want to say. 

With your post count as a reference, I find you lacking room to say what you want to say, to be a very real predicament indeed   

[calalily]

Of course, being a Ph.D., it has to be 'original thought' that no one has had before. 

And that is why I am butt-touched as I venture out on the PhD path, hoping to become a lit professor.

Hope you like no sleep, eye twitches and cricks in the neck. It looks big when you start, but I'm now worried about how little space I have left for stuff I want to say. 

With your post count as a reference, I find you lacking room to say what you want to say, to be a very real predicament indeed   

I know - Calalily *never* shuts up.

[They]

Gotta love the skintightness and product placement TSR puts out!












And TSR dares to call all of that "athletic wear."